Looking for something to do other than constantly checking social media? Is there something more entertaining to do during your down time than playing games on your device, or watching television or movies? Are you feeling antisocial or wanting some quiet time?
Traveling or commuting?
Taking a sick day?
Bored?
Need to relax?
Wanting some escapist fun?
I have the prescription for you...READ! These are the books I've read recently and my reviews. Please comment!

NetGalley Top Reviewer

NetGalley Top Reviewer

Friday, August 13, 2010

The Stormchasers by Jenna Blum

Ultimately unsatisfying..., August 13, 2010

This review is from: The Stormchasers (Hardcover)

This book was not on the same level as Blum's previous work, Those Who Save Us. Although I enjoyed this narrative well enough at the beginning, the middle really dragged, and the ups and downs of reading about Karena dealing with obstinate Charles (the twin with severe bipolar illness) wore me out and ultimately bored me.

Although the metaphor of stormchasing and bipolar "storms" was apt, the relentless reminder to the reader of how Charles' illness affected his sister, was overdone. I think most readers will be able to predict the outcome of the story once the "secret" is revealed. I did, however, enjoy the technical information about the development and science of storms, particularly tornadoes, since I live in the Midwest where this type of weather is common and often destructive.

Another reviewer has remarked about the fact that the two men in the book rarely use Karena's name. Her brother (and twin) calls her either "K" or "sistah", and her boyfriend refers to her as "Laredo" or some other term. I also found that annoying. I really never felt that I got involved with the characters in this novel -- they were very one dimensional and I found myself becoming irritated at times rather than empathizing with their plight. I was basically just glad to get to the wholly anticlimactic end.

I will wait patiently for Blum's next novel, and see if she can revert to the quality storytelling that made me a fan when I read her first book. Overall, just found The Stormchasers only mildly interesting, a bit disappointing, and would tell those who ask, "It's OK."

4 comments:

I had really been looking forward to this one but just felt a huge let down!! Thanks for weighing in, Christine -- I thought maybe it was just me not liking it as most of the other reviewers on amazon were glowing!!!

I still liked it, but I didn't think it was on the same level as Those Who Save Us at all. My problem with the book was that I could not feel anything for Charles. I really liked Karena though. I think I just expected to be really impressed, and it wasn't a book that blew me away.